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History and Interpretation AmeriCorps Member in TN

National Park Service
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Position Title:  NPS – History and Interpretation AmeriCorps

Conservation Legacy Program: Stewards Individual Placements

Site Location: Fort Donelson National Battlefield

174 National Cemetery Drive, Dover, TN 37058

 

Terms of Service:

 

  • Anticipated Start Date: 10/20/2025
  • Anticipated End Date: 3/6/2026 (20 weeks)
  • AmeriCorps Slot Classification: 675 Hours

 

Purpose:

 

Stewards Individual Placements is an AmeriCorps Program which provides individuals with service and career opportunities to strengthen communities and protect our natural and cultural resources. Fort Donelson protects and conserves the resources associated with the 1862 campaign for Forts Henry, Heiman, and Donelson and control of the Cumberland and Tennessee Rivers. The park units and associated national cemetery provide a setting for education, commemoration, and contemplation. Stewards, in partnership with Fort Donelson National Battlefield, are seeking an enthusiastic and collaborative service member to play a key role in planning and fulfilling programming for the America 250 celebration, the commemoration of the battle anniversary, and the creation of media content that will reach audiences across the nation and around the globe.

 

The History and Interpretation AmeriCorps position will serve as a member of the park's interpretation and education team with the Resource Protection and Heritage Education program. The AmeriCorps member will assist park staff in providing a range of services designed to foster meaningful connections to Fort Donelson National Battlefield and its rich history. During the course of the internship, the member will serve alongside experienced National Park Service employees supporting every facet of park operations such as leading informal interpretive activities in the park, delivering education programs to youth, and developing new programs for various audiences.

 

If you are ready to embark on a fulfilling journey with Fort Donelson National Battlefield apply now by uploading your resume and cover letter, and take the first step towards a rewarding career with the National Park Service! 

 

To learn more about Stewards, please visit: Homepage | Stewards Individual Placement Program

 

To learn more about Fort Donelson National Battlefield, please visit: Fort Donelson National Battlefield (U.S. National Park Service)

 

Description of Duties:

 

As an AmeriCorps Member serving with the Fort Donelson National Battlefield in Dover, TN, your responsibilities will include:

 

  • Lead the conceptualization and development of a cohesive America 250 theme that reflects the park's mission and community values.
  • Collaborate with team members and partners to define thematic focuses, source relevant materials, and coordinate logistics.
  • Engage partners and community members to participate in the America 250 event planning and implementation.
  • Assist with the planning and logistics of the park’s interpretive programming to commemorate the 164th anniversaries of the Campaign for Forts Henry, Heiman, and Donelson.
  • Develop comprehensive event plans outlining activities, scheduling, and required resources.
  • Coordinate living history demonstrations and youth-focused activities.
  • Implement at least two youth-focused activities that involve hands-on experiences during the commemorative event.
  • Produce and publish videos focused on resource interpretation and park offerings for social media, ensuring 508 compliance and gathering feedback from staff and visitors.
  • Facilitate hands-on training sessions for park staff on 508 compliance and video production techniques.
  • Research and develop at least one topic of personal interest or focus for presentation. 
  • Participate in the transition from a modular visitor facility to the historic Dover Hotel.
  • Provide scheduled park talks and programs to create lasting experiences and memories for visitors.
  • Participate in visitor center operations, not to exceed two hours in a service day. 

 

Qualifications:

 

  • United States citizen, United States national, or a lawful permanent resident alien.
  • Between the ages of 18 – 30, or up to age 35 with Veteran status.
  • Has received a high school diploma or equivalency certificate; or has not dropped out of elementary or secondary school to enroll as an AmeriCorps participant, and agrees to obtain a high school diploma or its equivalent prior to using the education award.
  • Agrees to provide information to establish eligibility and to complete a National Service Criminal History Check.
  •  Must have a valid Driver’s License.
  • Bachelor's degree or education and/or experience in history, interpretation, site management, public history, historic conservation, media or program production is preferred.
  • Experience with public speaking, professional demeanor, motivated self-starter, collaborative team member, and enthusiasm for national parks is ideal.
  • Knowledge of American/Civil War (bonus of Western Theater) history, interpretive skills, media creation and or CMS web development, and enjoyment for sharing stories and adventures with the public across the battlefield area and remotely are desired.

 

Our Commitment:

 

Conservation Legacy is committed to the full inclusion of all qualified individuals and will ensure that persons with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodations to perform essential functions. Some positions may require periodic overnight travel, non-traditional hours, ability to move across varied terrain, use program-specific tools and a range of technology on an infrequent or frequent basis. Exerting up to 25 pounds of force occasionally to lift, carry, push, pull, or otherwise move objects. Ability to safely drive an organizational vehicle may also be required for some positions. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.

 

Time Requirements:

 

  • Typically, this position is expected to serve 40 hours a week including weekends, but exact service schedules may vary. A half hour lunch break will not be counted towards AmeriCorps service.
  • The member may be required to participate in national, state, or local service projects or events as part of their service term.
  • The member will serve fully in person on site.

 

Orientation and Training:

 

  • The member will receive an orientation that includes training on AmeriCorps prohibited and unallowable activities.
  • The member will receive orientation of the America 250 mission and provided with the goals of the National Park Service and the Department of the Interior.   
  • The member will receive in-person and online training for enhanced interpretive skills, including observation of and coaching from interpretive professionals at Fort Donelson and other parks or sites.
  • The member will receive in-person and online training regarding the use of standard audio/visual equipment (camera, action-cam, etc.) and the utilization of standard editing software and techniques.
  • The member may receive in-person training regarding 508 compliance, logistics for closed captioning/audio description, CMS web development, and online training by Eppley Institute or other sources for additional skill development.
  • The member will receive one-on-one instruction with park staff in park and visitor service operations and will participate in in-depth tours of the battlefield to learn the history of battle, resources, and to become familiar with the park.
  • The member will receive additional training by reaching out to similar national park, state park units, sites or museums for interpretive opportunities.

 

Benefits:

 

  • Segal AmeriCorps Education Award of $2,817.14
  • Living Allowance of $640 per week.
  • Housing on site.
  • Childcare Coverage if Eligible.
  • Loan forbearance if Eligible.
  • Interest Payments if Eligible.
  • Eligible for Public Land Corps (PLC) hiring authority upon successful completion of term.
  • Training and Professional Development Opportunities.
  • Employee Wellness Program (connect with a licensed professional counselor and 24/7 support).
  • Networking and Mentorship.

 

Evaluation and Reporting:

 

As an AmeriCorps member, performance will be evaluated on whether the member has completed the required number of hours, the member has satisfactorily completed assignments, and if the member has met other performance criteria that were clearly communicated at the beginning of the term of service.

 

Reporting requirements include, but are not limited to, bi-weekly timesheets and accomplishment tracking.

 

Recruiter & Program Coordinator Contact Information:

 

Meaghan Hall

Stewards Individual Placements Program Coordinator

mhall@conservationlegacy.org

681-666-3266  

 

Conservation Legacy is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, national origin, disability status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. 

 

We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements. If you need assistance and/or reasonable accommodations due to a disability during the application or recruiting process, please send a request to the hiring manager.